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A Brief Illustrated Guide to Bungalow Removal

Courtesy of a Swamplot reader who watched some of Houston Habitat for Humanity’s work dismantling the 1925 bungalow at 1310 Welch St. in Hyde Park, here’s an abbreviated photographic guide to the process. Above: the home on June 7th. And here’s how it looked just last weekend, with all the work complete:

I think the most shocking thing is that it was literally there one day and a dirt patch the next. Anyone know about plans to build on the lot? Regardless of what you thought about the Bungalow, I’d hate to see the lot remain vacant.

My block. House was in fine condition, in intact row of bungalows – the most intact part of the block. Turns out it’s Habitat for Humanity? That is ABSURD! Can they not find a vacant lot or something lacking historic value??? McMansions I expect but these are the supposed good guys? Not in my book. When I lived in Philadelphia, instead of Habitat for Humanity I volunteered for a group that renovated old houses – doesn’t that make more sense than all this waste?

That’s what I despise about Houston. Ab-so-FREAKIN-lutely no regard for historical restoration or value. We may be Army & move from stem to stern every 3 years or less but I’m declaring San Antonio as my new adopted hometown. Screw Houston. I’m sick of it.

Think the link is broken. Can’t see the pics to show this process. It’s called deconstructing. I am thrilled the new property owner (who will likely be building a over-sized box in it’s place) saw the value in the architectural elements of this home and chose to allow Habitat for Humanity to deconstruct the house rather than just rip it all down like the home last week. Habitat comes in and SAVES what they can of the home before the rest is torn down. If you go to their two Restore locations, you will probably find the doors, windows, wood flooring, and cabinets. I recently found the windows and doors for my greenhouse at the Restore at Jones and Grant. Awesome place.

I used to live next door to this house. Back then (10+ years ago), it was in pretty decent shape, better than most of the other houses around it actually. The location is pretty bad though, not because of the apartments, which have been cleaned up, but because of all the drunks spilling out of Rudyards at 2 am in the morning.

I doubt the new owner let it be deconstructed because he wanted to save all the old elements. He let it be deconstructed because he gets a massive tax deduction based on the “value” of his “donation”.

That’s what I despise about Houston. Ab-so-FREAKIN-lutely no regard for historical restoration or value.——————-

I don’t understand how we’re supposed to decide which moment of time in history we are all supposed to value more than all the other moments in history.

A vacant lot is actually mush closer to the historical use of this site. It was vacant for millions of years before someone built a farm there. Many decades later someone decided the farm had to go to make room for a house. Several more decades pass and someone else wants to use the site for a bigger house. To argue over the type of house best suited for this lot seems silly.

I propose that we use eminent domain to condemn every non-agricultural structure that currently exists more than one mile from Allen’s Landing. Let’s bulldoze them all and write zoning laws that allow only farm, ranch or wildlife use for everything else within the city limits.

We can all move into downtown high rises that are super duper dense, walkable and mixed use. And we’ll have a choo choo train on every street and ban cars. Yippeee!!!!!!!!!!

I luckily missed the actual demolition, but am told that it looked like the typical job: backhoe, whirls of dust. It doesn’t appear to me that anything more got saved than some light salvaging – mantel etc.

Hey. The bungalow pic and the Sovereign high rise @ Regent Square pic were taken by me. They look a lot better being used online in these 2 than through the viewer on my smartphone.Anyway, if Houston didn’t such have a thriving,vibrant, healthy, expanding economy anwouldn’

Bernard, you have your opinion, and other people have their opinions. It’s a sad fact that what little history and culture and character this city has is for sale to the highest bidder. You happen to agree with that mentality. Others don’t. Feel free to express your opinion, but there is no need for you to hide behind some false premise when giving it.

The homeowner originally purchased this home with intentions of remodeling. Later, she decided to start fresh and contracted Houston Habitat for Humanity to deconstruct the 1920s home. Houston Habitat for Humanity ReStore works to salvage as much as possible from deconstruction projects and sell the items to benefit their general mission: decent, affordable housing at 0% interest for qualified, working families. This project yielded some exciting pieces! Marble counter tops, french doors, fire place mantle, cabinets, etc. Check it out at 6161 South Loop East. http://www.houstonhabitat.org/restore